BCalm Topics of Interest

Everyday college life can be stressful with school work extracurricular commitments, relationships, and financial concerns. Don't allow these aspects of your life control you. Finding ways to stay calm during stressful situations can have a beneficial influence on your mood and overall health.

Need a quick way to meditate? Click the audio files below to participate in your own guided meditation session. (Recorded by yoga instructor, Jen Wade)

Stress is Biological. When your brain perceives a threat, it signals your body to respond. These "threats" may include pressures to complete a task within a limited amount of time or an expectation you feel you cannot achieve. Once the threat is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal relaxed state. Unfortunately, stress is a part of everyday life and can present itself in a variety of ways. Using coping strategies to reduce and effectively manage stress can help you conquer challenging situations.

Are you ready to make a change? Ask yourself if you are truly ready and willing to manage your stress. If you can affirm that you are prepared to make a change you are one step closer to conquering your stressful situation.

What is making you stressed? Identify specific sources of stress so that you can target these areas. Are you worried about preparing for a class exam, confronting relationship issues, or overcoming financial barriers?

What strategies can I use to reduce my stress? Take a minute to brainstorm feasible actions you can take to reduce the impact of stress triggers. Consider what has worked well for you in the past and consider new strategies that may potentially work for you in the future.

BCalm Strategies

Meditation: Finding uninterrupted time to relax your mind can reduce your stress significantly. Remember, stress is a perception. It can be reduced with deep breathing and mental reflection. Find a quiet space on campus to BCalm or go for a slow-paced walk. Participate in your own guided meditation exercise right now!

Yoga: In addition to enhancing physical and mental well-being, yoga postures and breathing exercises can reduce feelings of anxiety associated with stress. The BC Rec offers a variety of yoga classes that students may sign up for.

Journal: Writing as a means of reflection can be a good strategy for stress reduction. Allowing yourself to release built-up tensions on paper is free and requires minimal energy. Write freely in a journal, notebook, or computer document. Don't think about it. Just do it!

Seek help with managing your stress. Sign up to meet with a peer health coach or professional staff member to help you develop an Individual Health Plan (iHP).